From what I understand, It's not forced upon you. You pick it up and learn it by repetition and habit. The Armed forces is a different culture than that of which most civilians grow up in. I have similar experiences from my youth in both Boy Scouts and Boarding School. It's tough and arduous at first, but it becomes enjoyable after some time.

Disciplined. You don't get a choice but to be.

For some guys, it has to be constantly forced upon them. But, for the majority, they received the basic discipline in boot camp and it became part of their typical, common behavior.

Disciplined for sure. It's drilled into them. Those that are because they feel it's forced upon them generally don't stay in the Armed Forces too long. What they have to go through when shipped out to a hot zone, they have to have that discipline to survive. For this, I offer a Salute to all in Uniform - Thanks for serving our country!!!

First they are forced to live under a strict decipline. Then, as time passes, disciplined living becomes a habit for them. Except perhaps when sailers come ashore after a long time at sea! This is probably how waterfronts became famous brawling grounds.

As for discipline, yes the military does impose discipline. It's essential element of any uniformed service such as the military. However, any organization needs some discipline to function. I think I am personally disposed to be disciplined even before I joined the military (Navy).

Well Sir I suppose I have to decline in giving an opinion since you only addressed your guestion to "guys".

The guys of the armed forces may come into the forces undisciplined, rebellious and unruly, but the armed forces will impose discipline upon them until that discipline becomes part of their nature. No one is born disciplined. Have you ever seen a baby that was self-disciplined? You and I both know that the very thought of a disciplined baby is utter nonsense. We all have to be trained to be disciplined. Some of us learn it from loving parents and internalize it at a young age. Some may not learn it until we've failed at multiple tasks in our lives. Some may learn it in the military. Some never learn it and make horrible messes of their lives. However and whenever we learn it, we must be scaffolded by someone who cares enough to teach it. Some of us are quick studies and learn it so quickly as to appear that we had it already. Other's are a bit slower and take some hard knocks to learn it. I've known a few officers in my life and I found that most of them have crusty exteriors and underneath are loving and altruistic people who love kids enough to mentor them into disciplined and responsible adulthood. They live longer that way in the military. Yes, there are some who are sadistic, but most of the officers I've known just wanted to get their troops home alive and found that teaching discipline and attention to detail was the best way to accomplish that goal.

What is the difference? Discipline of the military type is always imposed.